Grand Canyon Facing Water Restrictions

Visitors to Grand Canyon National Park should prepare for stricter water conservation measures this weekend, following a waterline break that has impacted the park’s water supply.

The pipeline break, which occurred earlier this week along the North Kaibab Trail, was captured in a photo dated August 20, showing water spraying from the damaged pipe.

The break has prompted park officials to implement immediate conservation measures, particularly on the South Rim, while preliminary steps are being taken on the North Rim until repairs are completed and water storage levels return to sustainable levels.

“Effective immediately, the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will begin phasing into greater water restrictions and conservation measures due to a new break in the Transcanyon Waterline. The North Rim will begin preliminary water conservation measures,” the National Park Service (NPS) said in a statement.

As of Thursday, August 22, the following changes have been implemented:

• Camper Services operated by Delaware North will be closed.
• Water spigots in Mather Campground and at Desert View Campground will be turned off.
• Visitors and residents may experience additional water conservation measures while visiting the park.

These new measures are in addition to existing restrictions that remain in effect for both the North and South Rims.

Park staff and partners have been conserving water by only serving water upon request, using low-water use methods for cleaning hotel rooms and practicing basic conservation techniques in their daily routines.

The NPS advises all visitors and residents to help conserve water by limiting showers to five minutes or less, turning off faucets while shaving or brushing teeth, selectively flushing toilets, only washing full loads of laundry, and reporting any leaks to the appropriate authorities.

Backcountry hikers are particularly urged to carry all the water they need or bring methods to treat water from natural sources.

Attempts to reach the NPS for comment on the ongoing situation via email and social media have been made, but no response has been received.

The break follows an announcement from the NPS last year that it is undertaking a $208 million project to repair the aging Transcanyon Waterline.

“This huge undertaking is an example of the work taking place in national parks across the country to repair or replace vital infrastructure that provides visitors with safer and more enjoyable experiences,” NPS director Chuck Sams said in a statement at the time.

“For too long, large-scale needs in national parks could not be properly addressed due to a lack of funding.”

Grand Canyon National Park superintendent Ed Keable added: “It’s taken years of planning, public involvement, design work and coordination to reach this milestone, and we’re excited to work through the next phase to complete such a critical project that is the lifeline for our staff, residents and visitors.”

Since 2010, there have been 85 major breaks in the pipeline, disrupting water delivery to visitors and the park’s 2,500 year-round residents. The water supply is also essential for firefighting efforts in the park, which contains 800 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Repairing a single break in the Transcanyon Waterline can cost $25,000 or more, according to the NPS.

Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about the Grand Canyon? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.